Mexican Rice

This Mexican Rice is an easy and quick dish made from pantry staples! The perfect side dish for any Mexican meal.

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This post was given a refresh April 1, 2021 with clarified instructions and new photos. Recipe remains the same. 

Easy Mexican Rice Recipe

This recipe is a staple in my house. We have so many Mexican and Tex-Mex inspired meals and this is always an easy choice to make as a side. I swear I could probably make it with my eyes closed at this point…

For real it is that simple!

This recipe is also great because it can easily be altered and subbed. For example for some extra vegetables I very often will throw in 1 cup of frozen mixed veggies in as it is cooking. It is also easy to make with different kinds of onions or tomatoes, really whatever you have at home!

For the ultimate dinner pairing make this Mexican Rice Recipe with Pollo Asado Tacos, Grilled Carne Asada, or Grilled Chicken Street Tacos. And don’t forget to make yourself a Classic Margarita!

Ingredients

Besides the onion and garlic everything else is a pantry item! So it’s easy to stock up on these items so you can make this at anytime!

• Olive Oil – For sautéing the onions and garlic.
• Small Onion – I prefer using a sweet or yellow onion but I have used a red onion in a pinch.
• Minced Garlic – You can mince your own garlic or use it from a jar.
• White Rice – A long grain white rice works best like a jasmine or basmati.
• Sazón Goya Con Culantro Y Achiote Seasoning Packet – Find these in your spice section, they will come in a box and inside the box will be individual packets.
• Diced Tomatoes – You can use flavored tomatoes or petite diced tomatoes. In a pinch I have also use a can of tomato sauce inside of a can of diced tomatoes and it worked!
• Water – For cooking the rice.
• Oregano – If you have a specific Mexican oregano use that, otherwise any kind of oregano will work.
• Salt – And of course salt for flavor, use kosher salt if possible.

For a complete detailed list of the ingredients continue towards the bottom of the page.

Instructions for Mexican Rice

In a medium pot (that has a tight fitting lid) heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté 3-4 minutes until slightly translucent. 

Add rice to the pot and sauté 1-2 minute to slightly toast the rice. 

Next add the seasoning packet, diced tomatoes, water, oregano, and salt to the pot. Stir and cover. Bring to boil.

Once the rice is boiling, leave the lid on, reduce heat to low, and cook for 10 to 13 minutes. (Do not open the lid or stir during this time, just quickly check after the first 10 minutes to see if it needs a few more minutes.) 

Remove from heat, stir to fluff, and serve immediately.

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Original Post:

A quick sauté of onions and garlic, and everything else is put into the pot and cooked into a delicious side dish your whole family will enjoy! Well most of your family anyway 😉

So this is probably the first recipe on The Schmidty Wife in which I am not the biggest fan of… say what?!? I am not a fan of Mexican Rice in general, never have been probably never will be, I never eat the rice at Mexican Restaurants, it either goes not eaten or my husband/son will gobble it down. So if I don’t like Mexican Rice why on earth would I make it? Because Matt and Archie absolutely love the stuff, they gobble it down. So I developed a recipe that is made easy from pantry items.